Every EagleWatch season brings new tales of resilience—each for Florida’s Bald Eagles and for the devoted group that displays them. This 12 months was no exception.
We confronted vital challenges: Extremely Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) returned to Florida’s eagle inhabitants, hurricanes at the beginning of the 2024-2025 season battered nests alongside Florida’s West Coast and Panhandle, and federal take permits for basic disturbances grew to become out there (learn extra in regards to the permits under). Sadly, Florida led the nation with 158 permits issued—way over another state. Towards this backdrop, our information mirrored decrease productiveness and fledge charges, although the typical brood measurement (variety of fledglings produced per profitable nest) has remained regular.
Amid these challenges, we rejoice necessary wins. EagleWatch launched its first-ever telemetry examine, monitoring two juveniles whose journeys took one fowl all the best way to Canada and one other to New York. We additionally continued our auxiliary banding examine, banding and releasing 15 juveniles this season for a complete of 137 since 2017.
None of this work can be potential with out the extraordinary dedication of our volunteers and supporters. This 12 months, 770 volunteers and companions contributed 13,538 hours within the area, submitting 25,739 nest observations. Because of you, EagleWatch continues to be probably the most complete Bald Eagle monitoring applications within the nation and a strong voice for
defending these iconic birds.
Collectively, we’re making a distinction for Florida’s eagles—and for future generations who will look to the sky with the identical surprise we really feel behind our binoculars.
Florida Bald Eagles at Threat With New USFWS Allow Course of
In 2024, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) instituted a brand new Normal Bald Eagle Nest Disturbance and Nest Take Allow course of. With a time period of 1 12 months or much less, these basic permits permit for disturbance throughout the nesting season or nest elimination for an inventory of authorised actions or functions. Candidates apply on-line, self-identify that they meet the qualifying standards, and obtain computerized approval for the allow with out USFWS overview.
Since inception, greater than 500 basic permits have been issued throughout 45 states. Florida leads with 158 basic permits, far forward of the following highest state, Washington, with 31. In contrast, 34 states have obtained 10 or fewer basic permits.
Along with the brand new basic permits, USFWS continues to supply Particular Permits for Disturbance or Nest Take for tasks
that don’t qualify for a basic allow. All particular permits are reviewed by USFWS workers earlier than approval. EagleWatch does
not have entry to an entire record of particular permits, however is at present conscious of 143 energetic particular permits in Florida.
Whereas Bald Eagle populations have recovered to the purpose that they’re not thought of endangered or threatened, these basic permits symbolize a giant change, and the variety of permits issued in Florida this primary 12 months has been vital. Over the following few seasons, EagleWatch’s statewide nest monitoring program will present necessary perception into productiveness developments on this new regulatory panorama, to assist consider whether or not this fee of permitted “take” is sustainable.
This story initially appeared within the 2024-25 EagleWatch Annual Report.
